MEMBERS of a Derby martial arts club will be targeting international honours later this month.

Derby Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Gracie Barra Derby) will take a team to compete at the European Open Jiu Jitsu Championship in Portugal, from January 28-31.

Stephen Martin, Chris Regan, James Normanshaw, David Hulland and Christine McDonagh will be taking part in their third European Championship, having already enjoyed success at national and international level since the club was founded in 2007, as reported in the Derby Telegraphy.

They train five to six days a weeks at Darley Abbey Mills, off Haslams Lane, under the instruction of Sensei Patrick Martin, a fifth dan at traditional Japanese Jujitsu.

Stephen Martin, 19, was crowned 2007 blue belt juvenile world champion in his weight category and, in 2009, won a silver medal at the Pan American Championships in Los Angeles, plus a bronze at the World Championships.

Normanshaw, 19, was a white belt adult Celtic Open champion in 2009 and competed at the Pan American Championships.

Hulland was a white belt adult champion at the 2008 Seni (UK Championships) and competed as a blue belt at last year's European Championship.

McDonagh, 17, was crowned 2008 white belt female adult European champion and blue belt female Pan American champion in 2009. She also took bronze at last year's European Championship in the blue belt female open weight category.

The quintet are hoping to bring back more medals from Lisbon this month.